A progressive metal/rock/fusion band formed in November 1987 in Florida, United States. Later relocated to Los Angeles.

Cynic disbanded in 1994 and changed name to Portal, which was active until 1996. Cynic reunited in 2006 and remained active until September 2015 when founding member Sean Reinert announced that Cynic had broken up once again due to artistic and personal differences. Paul Masvidal however vowed to continue with the band and soon announced a new line-up of the band.

Current members:
Paul Masvidal - guitar, vocals (1987-1994, 2006-2015, 2017- )
Matt Lynch - drums (2017- )

Former members:
Esteban Steve Rincon - vocals (1987)
Russell Mofsky - guitar (1987)
Jack Kelly - vocals (1987-1988)
Mark Van Erp - bass (1987-1989)
Sean Reinert - drums (1987-1994, 2006-2015)
Jason Gobel - guitar (1988-1994)
Tony Choy - bass (1989-1993)
Chris Kringel - bass (1993-1994)
Sean Malone - fretless bass, chapman stick (1993-1994, 2008, 2011, 2012-2015, 2017-2020)
Tony Teegarden - keyboards, vocals (1993-1994, 2006-2007)
Santiago Dobles - guitar (2006-2007)
Robin Zielhorst - fretless bass (2008-2010)
Tymon Kruidenier - guitar, death growls (2008-2010)

Live musicians:
Dana Cosley - keyboards, vocals (1994)
Chris Kringel - bass (2006-2007)
David Senescu - guitar (2007)
Steve Woodcock - bass (2008)
Brandon Giffin - bass (2011-2014)
Max Phelps - guitar, vocals (2011-2015)
Matt Lynch - drums (2015)